During October, we raise awareness about breast cancer and the people who have been affected by it. Our bookkeeper at Tunstall High School, Mrs.Gaither, has fought and overcame breast cancer. To celebrate, she wears pink every day throughout the month of October.               

Gaither was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. “I had been exercising, getting ready for my class reunion, and one morning, I was getting dressed when I felt a lump on my chest. I thought maybe I had just pulled a muscle, but I waited a few days, and when it didn’t go away, I decided to go get it checked out. That’s when I found out I had breast cancer,” said Gaither.

Gaither had a lumpectomy surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy, and radiation every day for eight weeks. Her motivation was her children, and she said, “It was scary at first, but I knew I needed to be strong for my children.” She had one girl that was two years old and two sons that were fourteen and fifteen at the time.

“I can now say that I have been cancer-free for 26 years and going strong!” Mrs.Gaither’s advice to others who are battling breast cancer would be to “know your body, have a positive attitude, and always be encouraged and know that you can recover.” She was able to handle the emotional and physical challenges of breast cancer by “always having a positive attitude no matter what came [her] way.”